Grafton ends Bruton's unbeaten run with 14-9 win

Marty O'Brien, mobrien@dailypress.com | 247-4963

The football showdown between Bruton and Grafton featured, arguably, the two best rushing quarterbacks in the Bay Rivers District. But one, Bruton's Elliott Rice got to run only one time before he injured his ankle and was sidelined for the game.

The other, Grafton's Joe Cibrin, ran wild. Cibrin ran for 157 yards and a touchdown, while throwing for 96 yards and a score, to lead the Clippers to a 14-9 win over the previously unbeaten Panthers.

The contest likely will carry long-term ramifications. Bruton (4-1, 3-1) falls from the top spot in the district and in Region I Division 3, and if Rice's ankle injury is severe the offense takes a big hit.

Grafton (4-1, 3-1) improved its already favorable position in Division 4 regional playoff picture, in addition to keeping its district title hopes alive. But that was of little consequence to Cibrin, whose major concern was typical of a high school senior.

"I was telling myself that I had sour taste in my mouth from losing to Tabb last year on homecoming, and didn't want to let the school down," said Cibrin, who entered the game with 307 rushing yards. "I think the whole team had that outlook."

Grafton's defense came out sky-high in stopping the Panthers for losses on the first three plays from scrimmage. The third loss of yardage was a disaster for the Panthers.

Rice, who entered the game with 280 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, carries around right end on third-and-17. When Clippers Caleb Harris and Aaron Wallace tackled Rice, he turned an ankle and was out for the game.

"We lose a big-time player when he goes out," Bruton coach Tracy Harrod said. "It threw a little bump in the road."

Brent Spencer, a running back who hadn't taken a snap under center all season, was called on to replace Rice. He gave a gritty effort, rushing the ball 18 times for 54 yards.

Passing the ball on the Clippers was a nightmare for Spencer, who went 7-of-17 with four interceptions, and was also intercepted on a two-point conversion attempt. He had a nice 24-yard run on a busted play to set up Ben Arbino's 22-yard field goal that put Bruton ahead 3-0 with 2 minutes, 18 seconds left in the first half.

But the Clippers retaliated quickly, driving 65 yards for a touchdown ignited by four Cibrin runs good for 48 yards. Cibrin's 12-yard pass for a touchdown to Dylan Stallings over the middle, and Marcus Spearman's two-point conversion run, gave Grafton an 8-3 halftime lead.

Cole Swartwood's interception gave the Clippers the ball at the Bruton 48 with 4:37 left in the third quarter. Cibrin sandwiched runs of 14 and 10 yards around DeAngelo Harrison's 23-yard scamper, before sneaking in from the 1 for a TD to give the Clippers a 14-3 lead.

The Clippers held on from there by forcing four turnovers on Bruton's final five possessions: two interceptions and two fumbles. The Panthers' biggest offensive success came on Spencer's 25-yard completion to De'Arius Olvis on a faked punt.

That set up Brad Burks' 25-yard TD run that cut Grafton's lead to 14-9 with 4:49 to play. But Colby Underwood intercepted the two-point try and would end Bruton's hopes with an interception on the game's final play.

"They played good defense and we turned it over," Harrod said. "You don't win like that."